Caroline or Change

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:38pm

Just wondering if anyone has knowledge on whether Caroline Thibodeaux was physically abused by her husband. In "I got Four kids", she repeats the phrase "Hit and turn the other cheek" among other songs. Is this merely symbolic? Also does anyone know how if her husband died? I know that they are divorced but what happened to him is a mystery. Thanks for any info.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:48pm

yea i think she was because in Act 2 she mentions hitting her husband back for breaking her nose. And I was also wondering if her husband died because the song goes

"where is he?
Sixteen
Where is he?
Sixteen
where is he?

Caroline!

Sixteen feet beneath the sea"

and i thought that was a reference to being dead and underground

[C is for Company]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:49pm

No during "1943" she talks about getting her nose broken and then she screamed at him if he "EVER, EVER, EVER hit me again!" and freaked. However "Then one day, he hit again" and "even now your hand can summon, what it like to beat his face in". Then he disappeared

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:50pm

Yes, I believe he did beat her. And one day she turned around and beat him.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:50pm

Have you listened to "1943" which opens Act II? His abuse of her is laid out pretty clearly (and also why she had to divorce him). There's nothing symbolic about it.

Not sure why you find what happened to him a mystery. What's there to know about him after Kushner makes it clear that he beat her twice, broke her nose, she fought back, they divorced and he left?

Battered wives -- both in shows and in real life -- don't typically care much about the whereabouts of their abusive exes once they leave (though Caroline could probably use the child support if he could be located).

Updated On: 12/12/05 at 07:50 PM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:51pm

yea thats what i was referring to, but i think the question is asking if Caroline was abused (period). and the answer would be yes

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:53pm

GYPSY - also, in that scene, the dirty ole dryer represents her husband - if that's what you mean...

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:54pm

really??! I never thought of it that way

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 7:56pm

They have Chuck atop the dryer and he is making the grunt sounds with cane in hand. I always saw it as him playing out that role.

After all, she hates the dryer.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:09pm

thats an interesting interpretation concerning the dryer. Also, Margo, I haven't listened to the score in a while (actually listening to it as I type)and haven't gotten up to act 2 so I probably should have listened all the way through but I got alittle anxious.

Updated On: 12/12/05 at 08:09 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:11pm

Well, now I feel stupid being the only one who saw it this way. Please tell me I'm not alone! Truly!
Updated On: 12/12/05 at 08:11 PM

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:14pm

I think its a really good interpretation actually! Especially the grunting parts and how she hates the dryer.

Updated On: 12/12/05 at 08:14 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 8:17pm

*She hates the dryer.

Because it makes the basement even hotter and more unbearable than usual.

[OddExoticCreature]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 1:53am

I really wish I could have seen this show.

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 10:40am

Don't "He broke my nose" and "He disappeared from view" essentially answer this question succinctly?

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 10:47am

As I said in a previous post: " I haven't listened to the score in a while (actually listening to it as I type)and haven't gotten up to act 2 so I probably should have listened all the way through but I got alittle anxious."

[joniray]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 11:47am

GOD, I LOVE THIS SHOW! Sorry, just had to get that out. You all are making me want to disappear from my desk and listen to it all over again